Button staple



Oct. 19, 1948. o. J. HUELSTER 2,451,487

BUTTON STAPLE Filed April 28, 1944 50 Z] 77 7 INVENTOR 79 OTTO J HUELSTER ATTORNE;

Patented Get. 19, 1948 BUTTON STAPLE Otto J. I-Zuelster, Waterbury, Conn., assignor to Scovill Manufacturing Company, Waterbury, Conn, a corporation of Connecticut Application April 28, 1944, Serial No. 533,150

8 Claims.

This invention relates to staples of the type and kind commonly used in attaching buttons to supports in retaining the buttons against displacement therefrom. More particularly, the invention relates to staples produced from a U-shaped staple blank and a blank disc, and in the assemblage of such parts in accordance with the novel method more fully hereinafter set forth, in producing a staple comprising integral spaced prongs joined and anchored in a disc or button type head portion. Still further, the invention relates to a staple of the class described, wherein the U-shaped prong and head have cooperating portions which will securely retain the parts in firm engagement with each other and against relative movement.

The novel features of the invention will be best understood from the following description, when taken together with the accompanying drawing, in which certain embodiments of the invention are disclosed and in whi h the separate parts are designated by suitable reference characters in each of the views and in which:

Fig. 1 is a plan view of a button as attached to a support by the use of one of my improved staples.

Fig. 2 is a cross section of the structure, as seen in Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is an exploded perspective view showing the separate blanks of the staple preparatory to the first step of assemblage of said blanks.

Fig. 4 is a cross section through the two blanks shown in assembled relationship.

Fig. 5 is a View similar to Fig. l showing the formation of the disc or head in securing the same to the staple blank or part.

Fig. 6 is a section on the line ii6 of Fig. 5 showing the staple in elevation; and

Fig. 7 is a plan view of the structure, as seen in Fig. 6.

In the construction of staples of the kind under consideration, it has been customary to mount individual pin or prong members in a disc or head at spaced intervals in forming devices of this kind. This method of procedure has been objectionable from the standpoint that difficulty has been experienced in assembling the individual pins or prongs and, further, from the standpoint that the pins or prongs have loosened in the head, or the method of construction has weakened the pins or prongs so as to cause them to break away from the head. In other instances, heads have been perforated or recessed to receive prong members or U-shaped members but, here again, difiiculty has been experienced. in the assemblage of the parts and the structures of the heads have been materially weakened.

It is the purpose of my invention to produce a staple of the kind under consideration, wherein a strong staple blank is provided and, further, wherein the disc or head is so shaped as to maintain a strong and durable head construction and, at the same time, a secure mounting and attachment of the staple therewith, so as to prevent displacement of the assembled parts and so reinforce the assemblage of the parts as to assure a positive coupling of a button with its support by the use of such staple. Furthermore, my improved construction and method of forming staples of the kind under consideration is materially simplified from the standpoint that the blanking of the U-shaped staple part and the blanking of the cap, or head forming part, provides means for supporting and alining these parts, when assembled, one upon the other, preparatory to the final forming and assembling operation, thus insuring the proper relationship of the prongs with respect to the head in the finished product.

In Figs. 1 and 2 of the drawing is shown a use of one of my improved button staples it for securing a button I I to a suitable support l2.

The staple I0 is formed from two parts, namely a staple part it and a head part or cap hi, each part,'in a sense, constituting an article of manufacture in being preformed or blanked to certain specifications and structural contour.

The staple part 53 is formed from a rod which is bent and pressed to form spaced shanks or prong members l5 having pointed ends 16 and these shanks or prong members are joined by a crosshead I l of greater width than the thickness of the shanks. The cross-head, as will clearly appear in Fig. 4 of the drawing, has a fiat lower surface 18 and the sides of the cross-head are indented, as seen at I9, to form a central upwardly projecting rib 28 of substantially triangular or prismlike cross sectional contour and the base of said rib being of less width than the width of the lower surface 8 8 of the cross-head I1.

The ends of the cross-head ll join the prongs l5 in rounded or bevelled corners 2|, as clearly seen in Fig. 6 of the drawing. The above construction forms on each staple blank or part what may be termed a fiat cross-head, which will support the staple part perpendicularly with respect to the disc or head part M with the cross-head seated in the recess or socket 22 formed in the upper surface of said part. The recess or socket 22 has a fiat lower surface 23, upon which the surface is of the cross-head seats and the recess also includes rounded or bevelled end walls 24 to receive the rounded or bevelled ends 2| of the staple part l3. The recess or socket 22 is so made as to freely, but snugly, receive the lower crosshead end portion of the staple in assembling the two parts in the manner seen in Fig. 4 of the drawing. When so assembled, the pins or prongs I of the staple part will be supported perpendicularly to the head I4 preparatory to the final assembling operation, which comprises shaping the part I4 to form the final contour of the head, as is clearly illustrated in Figs. 5-7, inclusive. In this shaping operation, deep arc-shaped grooves or depressions 25 are formed at opposite sides of the cross-head l1 and the central portion of the part I4 is pressed inwardly to snugly engage the recessed sides l9 of the cross-head, as seen at 26 in Fig. 5 of the drawing. Extending outwardly from the prongs IS, the part or head it has radial ribs 21, note Figs. 6 and 7, the upper edge of which is arranged inwardly of the inner surface 28 of the head M. The side walls 29 of the ribs 2'! are bevelled downwardly to the point of intersection with the base of the grooves or depressions 25, as is clearly illustrated in Fig. '7 of the drawing,

in which figure, as well as Fig. 6, it will appear that the grooves or depressions are joined outwardly of the ribs 21. In shaping the part or head I4, the outer surface thereof is also preferably rounded in the manner clearly illustrated in Figs. 5 and 6 in order to form a button-like contour to this head and to eliminate what would otherwise be a more or less sharp outer corner on the periphery of the head.

. Reshaping the material of the head in the manner described, particularly in forming the inwardly pressed portions 26, which fit snugly around the rib 20, produces a secure and well reinforced mounting of the staple part [3 in the head part 14. The formation of the ribs 1, including the bevelled walls 29, also form reinforcing bases for the ends of the staple shanks where they join the cross-head and insure firm and positive engagement of the part M with the entire staple part arranged within the button or head part. In this forming operation, or in a separate operation, the pointed ends iii of the prongs l5 are offset lateral- 1y at each side of the center of the cross-head l1, so as to produce the desired spread of these pointed end portions of the prongs in attachment with the button I i. In other words, the prongs l5 pass through spaced apertures 3| in the cupshaped part 32 of the button and are then clinched over in accordance with known methods of procedure, as seen at 33, and these clinched ends assume a side by side relationship, as is clearly illustrated in Fig. 1 of the drawing.

It will be understood that the button I I may be constructed in any desired manner but, in the construction shown, this button includes, in addition to the cup-shaped part 32, an outer ring portion 34, which as a flanged engagement with the part 32, as indicated at 35.

While the invention deals generally with the production of metal prongs for attachment to metallic buttons, in whichinstances all of the parts may be composed offmetal, it will be apparent that, in some instances, the cap or head part 14 may be composed of plastic material and shaped around a metallic staple by first pre-heating the blank, as seen in Figs. 3 and 4;, preparatory to the shaping or reforming operation necessary to produce the results, as seen in Figs. 5-7, inclusive. This combination may be assembled with an all metal butt-on and, on the other hand, the part 33 of the button may be composed of plastic material or the entire button'may be plastic. 7 In further instances, where rust may be an objectionable factor, the entire device may be composed of plastic material, in which event the plastic staple will also be preheated sufficiently to soften the material to a degree facilitating the clinchingover operation, as at 33 and, in such instances, it may be necessary with some supports to preform apertures in the support l2 for the admission of the pronged ends of the plastic staple. It will, of course, be apparent that the all plastic devices of this kind would be adaptable primarily for use in attaching buttons and like members to supports of lightweight construction, such for example as womens apparel and the like, whereas the all metal fastening structures of devices of this kind would be adaptable for use on heavier types of garments or those subjected to greater stresses or strains, such for example as overalls and other work garmentsand to fastening or coupling devices requiring greater strength, the metallic couplings in this sense being primarily in the staple part and the part 32 to which the staple is directly attached. The parts iii and 34, in these other instances, could still be composed of plastic mate rial.

From the foregoing, it will be apparent that the first step in the method consists in shaping the cross-head of the staple part and forming the socket or recess in the cap or head part to snugly receive the cross-head, thus minimizing and facilitating the shaping operation of the head to conform with the more or less T-cross sectional contour of the cross-head of the staple and to form a well reinforced structure engaging the long sides of the cross-head to prevent any possible twisting or distortion of the cross-head or the staple part, as a whole, in said head. It will also be apparent that, with my improved method, a definite and positive spacing of the pronged ends of the resulting prong member is maintained to insure assemblage thereof with accurately formed and located apertures in the button part or other member to which the staple is secured. In this connection, it must be understood that the assembled staple, as such, constitutes an article of manufacture adapted for any use. In otherwor-ds, it is not necessarily limited to attachment with a button or similar member.

It will be understood that, in utilizing the staple member as an article of manufacture and independent of a cap or head, the fiat outer surface 5 8 will form a desirable striking surface for driving a staple into a support, whereas the relatively thin rib 20 will embed itself in the support to produce a flusher mounting of the cross-head in the support. 7

As before stated, the cross-head ll of the staple is of greater width than the thickness of the rod, from which the shank portions of the staple are formed and, in addition to providing a large striking surface in the use of the staple as herein illustrated, this enlarged or widened flat cross-head provides means for supporting the staple in the 7 U-shaped staple part and a head part, the staple part comprising an elongated cross-head of shaped cross-sectional form throughout the length thereof terminating in substantially parallel pronged ends arranged angularly to the cross-head, said head part having an elongated recess opening through the inner surface of said part and conforming with the cross-sectional contour of said cross-head to firmly support the cross-head of the staple part in connection with the head part, the prongs of the staple part projecting angularly from the inner surface of said head part, and part of said cross-head being exposed at the inner surf-ace of said head part.

2. A staple of the class described comprising a U-shaped staple part and a head part, the staple part comprising an elongated cross-head of T- shaped cross-sectional form throughout the length thereof terminating in substantially parallel pronged ends arranged angularly to the cross-head, said head part having an elongated recess opening through the inner surface of said part and conforming with the cross-sectional contour of said cross-head to firmly support the cross-head of the stapl part in connection with the head part, the prongs of the staple part projecting angularly from the inner surface of said head part, said cross-head being disposed at the inner surface of said head part, and said inner surface of the head part having an annular recess encircling said cross-head.

3. A staple of the class described comprising a U-shaped staple part and a head part, the staple part comprising an elongated cross-head of T- shaped cross-sectional form throughout the length thereof terminating in substantially parallel pronged ends arranged angularly to the cross-head, said head part having an elongated recess opening through the inner surface of said part and conforming with the cross-sectional contour of said cross-head to firmly support the cross-head of the staple part in connection with the head part, the prongs of the staple part pro jecting angularly from the inner surface of said head part, part of said cross-head being exposed at the inner surface of said head part, and said head part having means for reinforcing the staple part where the pronged ends join said cross-head.

4. A staple of the class described comprising a U-shaped staple part and a head part, the staple part comprising spaced substantially parallel prong members joined by a cross-head, the crosshead having a fiat outer Wall of greater Width than the thickness of said prong members, a substantially prism-like rib arranged longitudinally of the central portion of the inner surface of said wall, said head part having members overlying the wall of said cross-head and engagin the opposed sides of said rib in firmly supporting the cross-head in connection with the head part with said prong members projecting angularly from one surface of the head part, said rib being exposed through said surface of the head part between said prong members, and said head part having Wall portions reinforcing the prong members where they join said cross-head.

5. A staple of the class described comprising a U-shaped staple part and a head part, the staple part comprising spaced substantially parallel prong members joined by a cross-head, the crosshead having a flat outer wall of greater width than the thickness of said prong members, a sub stantially prism-like rib arranged longitudinally of the central portion of the inner surface of said wall, said head part having members overlying the Wall of said cross-head and engaging the opposed sides of said ribin firmly supporting the cross-head in connection with the head part with said prong members projecting angularly from one surface of the head part, said rib being arranged at said surface of the head part between said prong members, said head part having wall portions reinforcing the prong members where they join said cross-head, said surface of the head part having an annular recess encircling said cross-head, and said recess having deep arcshaped grooves disposed at opposite sides of and spaced from the cross-head of the staple part.

6. A staple of the class described comprising a disc-shaped head, one surface of the head having arc-shaped recesses, the ends of which are joined by radial ribs having bevelled side walls, a U- shaped staple part arranged centrally of said head with prongs projecting angularly from said surface thereof, the prongs being arranged inwardly of and in alinement with said ribs, the staple part having an elongated cross-head embedded in the head intermediate said pronged ends, said head and th cross-head of the staple part having firmly engaging irregular surfaces keying and rigidly supporting the staple part against movement and displacement from the head part, and said cross-head, between said pronged ends, being exposed through said surface of the head.

7. A capped staple of the class described comprising a staple member having spaced substantially parallel prongs joined at one end by a crosshead, the cross-head between said prongs having longitudinal grooves at opposite sides of the inner surface thereof, a cap secured to the cross-head and cross-head ends of said prongs, said crosshead being disposed at the inner surface of said cap, and said cap having integral members engaging the longitudinal grooves of the cross-head of said staple member in firmly keying and retaining the staple member against movement and displacement from the cap.

8. A capped staple of the class described comprising a staple member having spaced substantially parallel prongs joined at on end by a crosshead, the cross-head between said prongs having longitudinal grooves at opposite sides of the inner surface thereof, a cap secured to the crosshead and cross-head ends of said prongs, said cross-head bein disposed at the inner surface of said cap, said cap having integral members engaging the longitudinal grooves of the crosshead of said staple member in firmly keying and retaining the stapl member against movement and displacement from the cap, and said cap having reinforcing ribs extending outwardly and radially from the prongs at the ends of said crosshead.

OTTO J. HUELSTER.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 106,501 Patterson Aug. 16, 1870 269,705 Prentice Dec. 26, 1882 269,891 Smith, Jr Jan. 2, 1883 287,859 Prentice Nov. 6, 1883 324,126 Le Gay Aug. 11, 1885 648,071 Griffith et a1 Apr. 24, 1900 649,686 Breul May 15, 1900 1,378,108 Hart et al May 17, 1921 2,103,176 Randall Dec. 21, 1937 2,351,608 Greenwood June 20, 1944 

